Coping with the heat

Where did you go, janer....Southwold?

If so, I'm dead jealous.

Go to the beach! I had a wonderful day there today, it was such a relief to feel proper air again after weeks of humidity. I wish we lived nearer.

Run your wrists under cold water for a while and you will be surprised how cool you will feel, I laughed at the idea many years ago when told by a friend but it works very well.

I tried the tepid bath a couple of nights ago and it helped so I will try it again tonight (have been staying with DD2 in Rochester last two days).
Looks as if we'll be there again tomorrow as DD2 has awful back pain and has had to take very strong painkillers. We will be looking after DGD who is eleven months old, but I am a bit concerned how we're going to keep her cool while we take her out. I will take a cool damp cloth in our coolbag, but am wondering where we can take her during the day in order to give her mum a rest. Might have to resort to allowing her to crawl around Rochester Cathedral for a while - it's cool and shady, at least!
She won't wear a hat - pulls it off as soon as it's put on her head, so high-factor sunblock will be essential.
I'm dreading tomorrow's heat. I can't wait till the temperatures drop again. Horrible weather!

Silk bottom sheet as well really helps

Sparkygran, I think my thermostat is completely useless these days, can be very embarrassing when it is hot.

I also have silk pillowcases, I am sure they help to keep cool !

Today it was 29C, I opened a bottle of elderflower champagne and it exploded all over me. It was wonderful - straight from the fridge! So I mopped up and got rid of my top, dipped a clean t-shirt in cold water and put it on. It was wonderful. I shall certainly do that again.

Sadly its not just the hot summer weather that causes me such heat related problems my internal heating system is absolutely kyboshed and has been for years - don`t talk to me about hot flushes should have been long gone and I cannot tell you how angry it makes me - always my face and head - never go anywhere without my trusty fan - phew glad to get that off my chest.

Good idea nonu

I sit with my feet in bowl of cold water[ also add icecubes] for about 20 mins. and that cools the blood nicely !

I'm visiting my little GDs in London and the heat mixed with the usual air quality makes it very difficult. I live on the coast and we get lovely sea breezes and of course can take a dip in the freezing English sea. I shall join the girls in the paddling pool after school/

Get a bicycle and ride it along a riverside tow path.

Gorgeous!

When I used to do a fair bit of walking in Crete I seem to remember taking a flannel with me in a plastic bag and pouring some of my water on it every so often so I could put it on the back of my neck. I'd love to be in Crete now. In fact I'm planning to go back there next year.

Oh, I see you can get 4711 cool sticks; I'm really wanting one of those, now. Will certainly get one for my holiday.

I used to find those 4711 wipes very cooling when we used to travel abroad a lot [can you get 4711 now?]. What worries me about air conditioning etc is that the heat must go somewhere so that, although buildings are being kept cool, it's pushing up the temperature [therefore necessitating more air conditioning].

Yesterday before it rained, it was like a sauna here. I love the sunshine, but - perhaps because my fitness isn't good at the moment - I am inclined to sweat profusely, especially from my head. Drinking plenty is essential. A short shopping trip on Tuesday nearly wiped me out. Must be one of those people for whom the Govt 'advice' is intended! This is the time when I know my vertical blinds have been a good investment. And much as I curse the huge trees that overshadow my garden, they do provide essential shade on days like today. Now - where have I put those fans?

Jess - Would a tall, free standing fan, with remote control, work for you MIL? Several options on speed and direction. I've found mine invaluable, particularly at night.
Downside - a bit pricey for short term use. I'd willingly lend you one of mine if we lived closer!

Well the official advice is about drinking plenty and not getting too much sun.
However the people most at risk of ending up in an ambulance are those like MIL with heart failure and I don't think it is because they are dashing about in the midday sun!! She can just about get in and out of the chair. And has never sunbathed in her life.
Trying to keep the body cool puts extra strain on the heart.
Evaporation causes cooling. I phoned her and said get X to get you some wet wipes. She is too tidy minded to have a cold flannel and a bowl of water next to her.
As for the advice to keep windows closed in the day, well pigs might fly if you are an elderly person stuck in a chair all day. She'll have them all open and the door too I expect. And the windows will be open at night (as usual) despite the security risk in a bungalow...
If I was there I would get a plant sprayer and spray her down like a prize orchid.
Any other ideas for people in her situation (with a stubborn streak)

...and [more gulps] snakes yes of course! I am the least brave person with things like that.

Weren't you worried about [gulp] spiders ....?

Lona the heat will do that to you. I am wondering just how hot it is over there. Over here in the middle of the wheat fields in Oz in summer it is becoming more common to experience mid 40s every year. My hundred year old renovated cottage struggles with the heat and so do I. While I was away last Christmas holidays my house was shut up, when I got back my new kitchen bench had buckled noticeably from the extreme heat. One night in late January it was so hot I decided to sleep outside on GC's trampoline thinking my GS who was nearly six, and who lives next door would join me. He didn't as he was scared, so was I, I hate the dark and here it's pitch black. I figured no burglars/murderers etc would be able to see me in the dark and Buzz the dog would warn me if there were any creeping about. I thoroughly enjoyed it, there was a slight breeze and the stars were absolutely stunning.

My daughter said I should sleep at their (ducted air conditioned) house when it was too hot, which I did do on other hot nights. Though I can't think how much they miss out on, it was something we always did as children on very hot nights and was a lot of fun.

I have CBA syndrome all year

Rowantree
Wheat bags will go in the freezer too (in polythene bags), a couple of those in bed would probably help.